Defying Trump may help Collins in Maine while it hurts other GOP incumbents
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, is seeking her sixth term amid a challenging reelection campaign against Democrat Graham Platner, a combat veteran and oyster farmer with controversial past issues.
- Collins has maintained strong name recognition and a record of securing federal funding for Maine, while carefully balancing her relationship with former President Donald Trump, who has criticized but not actively opposed her.
- Democrats view Maine as a key battleground to flip Senate control, criticizing Collins for supporting Trump’s Supreme Court nominees linked to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
- Despite occasional clashes with Trump, Collins has avoided the fate of other Republican senators who lost primaries to Trump-endorsed challengers, benefiting from her pragmatic approach and Maine’s moderate electorate.
- The White House and Trump’s allies appear cautious about intervening aggressively in Maine, recognizing Collins’ electoral strength and the importance of maintaining Republican Senate control.